Valentine's Day special - is love in the air for Aston Villa, Birmingham City, West Brom and Wolves?
It's February 14 and love is in the air.
However, while it may be flowers, chocolates and sweet nothings at the moment, everybody knows that relationships in football can quickly turn as sour as Neil Warnock at a referees' convention.
So to mark Valentine's Day, I've decided to aim Cupid's bow towards our major clubs to see who is floating their boat, who's the special someone they long for and who might be about to receive the divorce papers.
BLUES
Head over heels with... Alex McLeish - in the loving eyes of Bluenoses, Big Eck can do no wrong. McLeish has quietly assembled a Premier League squad at reasonable expense. And all that while controversial outgoing owners bickered with a mysterious incoming regime in the background.
Would like to meet... A 25-year-old Kevin Phillips - the ruthless manner in which Super Kev saw off Wolves last weekend reminded Blues of the value of a natural goal-scorer. Trouble is, Phillips is 36 and Blues could do with the ex-England striker at his peak.
On the rocks with... Half of their squad - with 12 members of Blues' current first-team squad out of contract at the end of the season, it's likely that a large percentage of those will bid farewell to St Andrew's come summer. Chief executive Michael Dunford has already indicated that a mass clearout is on the horizon.
VILLA
Head over heels with... Richard Dunne - Villa fans have always appreciated a centre-half in the old-fashioned mould such as Allan Evans, Derek Mountfield, Paul McGrath, Martin Laursen; but when the latter announced his retirement, there was a slight sense of panic. Would the claret and blue rearguard suddenly become as suspect as Portsmouth's finances? But the ã5 million that Martin O'Neill paid out to Manchester City for Dunne has turned out to be an absolute bargain. The Irishman has been colossal.
Would like to meet... A big name striker - how Villa fans would love to boast of their own Didier Drogba, Wayne Rooney or Fernando Torres. A rock-solid defence, a midfield oozing with talent and a strikeforce that has power and pace but lacks a killer touch in front of goal.
On the rocks with... The beautiful game - Villa have developed a bit of a reputation for being boring. Admittedly that opinion largely seems to stem from north London but if this notion starts to gain momentum, Villa are in danger of being tarnished with the same ugly brush as Stoke.
ALBION
Head over heels with... Graham Dorrans - in the space of 14 months, Dorrans has gone from being an unknown kid from Livingston to the gem of the Hawthorns. The 22-year-old, a revelation this season, is a pivotal part of Albion's push for an immediate promotion.
Would like to meet... A sponsor - the novelty of having a sponsor-free kit in this cash-mad game is starting to wear off; a bland strip doesn't suit Albion's colourful brand of football. Match-by-match deals are unique but gimmicky, not to say unfair on collectors. So, should promotion back to the big time be secured, then surely it'll be time for the Baggies to do all they can to seal a deal with a major company .
On the rocks with... Robert Koren - life at the Hawthorns no longer seems to be as rosy as it once was for Koren. Roberto Di Matteo admitted at the tail-end of 2009 that the midfielder could leave in January, while Slovenia captain Koren, mindful of it being World Cup year, has been left frustrated by a lack of first-team action.
And the petulant strop following his substitution against Scunthorpe, labelled as 'selfish' by his head coach, won't have helped matters.
WOLVES
Head over heels with... Kevin Doyle - the record-signing from Reading may not have earned the right to wear golden boots with his old gold and black kit, but his work rate this season should be applauded. The Irishman has grown used to a lonely existence up front this season, but that hasn't stopped him running his socks off for the cause.
Would like to meet... Manchester United at Old Trafford - because that'll be likely to mean that Wolves are still a Premier League club and that they'll finally have a chance to put 'Old Trafford-gate' behind them.
But one thing is for sure, next time they won't want the Theatre of Dreams to become the Theatre of Laughing Stocks.
On the rocks with... Mick McCarthy - a difference of opinion over tactics has resulted in not only fans, but also Wolves chairman Steve Morgan falling out with McCarthy this season. Sweeping changes at Old Trafford left Morgan scratching his head while a negative 4-5-1 line-up coupled with a 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace appeared to be the final straw for some supporters. Both were bold decisions but both back-fired.
Only Premier League survival will prove that he's the right man for the Molineux hot-seat.
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Andy Walker - Multimedia sports journalist covering Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion for Sunday Mercury and Birmingham Mail.
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great post, wolverhampton will stay in the premier league this season! they beat chelsea and liverpool and will now break through to the top!
cant wait for vday this year, i have some big plans (proposing :P)
Awesome post, keep em' comin!
C'mon Wolves! Hope they will stay in the EPL this season.
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